Presenters
Tom Rosenbauer: The Voice of Modern Fly Fishing
Few names are as synonymous with fly fishing as Tom Rosenbauer. With a 45-year career as the "Chief Enthusiast" at Orvis, Tom has shaped the way generations of anglers approach the water. The author of over 30 books and the voice behind the world’s #1 fly-fishing podcast, he brings a lifetime of technical mastery and soulful storytelling to the BFFAF5.
For Tom, the Battenkill isn't just a river—it’s a lifelong companion. Falling in love with the waterway through John Atherton's prose, Tom has spent nearly 50 years navigating its challenging currents.
"Its trout are never easy, but the river is always easy on the eyes."
Join Tom as he shares the wisdom gained from five decades of "delight and frustration" on our home water.
Steve Woit
Steve Woit, the author of Mary Orvis Marbury: A Life in Flies, is also the author of Fly Fishing Treasures, the bestselling book covering the world of fly fishers and the collection of antique fly fishing tackle.
Steve writes a regular column for Classic Angling, the world’s leading journal devoted to the history of antique tackle and collecting, where he serves as North American book reviewer. He has also contributed articles on fly fishing history and antique fly tackle collecting to the Yale Anglers’ Journal, AntiqueWeek and Maine Boats and Harbor Magazine as well as to leading online fly fishing publications such as Hatch and MidCurrent.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Yale with a degree in Combined Literature in English and French Literature. He was Publisher of the Yale Daily News Magazine and served as President of the Yale Fishing Club and Captain of the Yale Fishing Team.
Thomas Ames
Meet Thomas Ames, Jr., author of the new Pocketguide to Eastern Hatches. Tom will examine how hatch-matching has evolved in the twenty-five years since his book’s original publication as the Hatch Guide For New England Streams.
Doug Lyons
Doug has been fishing the Battenkill since 1977. A past President of the Southwestern Vermont Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Doug is on the Board of the Battenkill Watershed Alliance. Doug is passionate about conservation work and passing on a better Battenkill to the next generation. Doug has written "A Fly Fishing Guide to the Battenkill" published by Stackpole Books, due out on September 1st and currently available for pre-order.
Beth Kaplan
Beth Kaplan has been a practicing artist her entire career. Her studies focused on landscape and portrait painting, as well as printmaking and book illustration.
Now a full-time resident of Arlington, Vermont, she draws daily inspiration from the Green Mountains surrounding her studio. Locally, her works have been shown at the Southern Vermont Art Center, Canfield Gallery, Arlington Commons, and a one-woman show at Manchester’s Northshire Bookstore gallery. Her work has also been exhibited at the Art Students League in New York, where she studied under Mary Beth McKenzie.
She has also studied figure painting at the Chicago Art Institute, children’s book design at Chelsea College of Art in London, and plein air painting at SUNY Purchase, NY.
Lori Simon
Lori describes her theory of life with an Albert Einstein quote: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”
That passion has taken Lori on a circuitous path from the days of her first Brownie camera to journalism and photography degrees, through publishing and non-profit work and back to landscape and nature photography. And now, back again working in the non-profit industry as the executive director of the Nature Photography Foundation whose mission is to raise funds and provide resources to advance awareness and appreciation of nature through photography. The Foundation’s vision is to support education, conservation, photographic opportunities, advocacy, and ethical practices in nature photography. A native of California, Lori has lived in nine states and loves to travel, most recently to Antarctica. She is an avid bird, portrait, and landscape photographer and enjoys traversing the country in her vintage trailer, Dorothy.
Seline Skoug
Seline Skoug, has been flyfishing since she was about 8 years old mainly in the US and Norway. A serendipitous moment came in 1997 after her mother, Sally, died of breast cancer (a fly fisher) a year earlier, when Seline learned of Casting for Recovery and joined the board. She then became the first CFR Executive Director. Together with Susan Balch the first Program Director (and former board member), they worked with the board and a medical team to develop the CFR program guide, curriculum and training guide, which still stands today across the US and parts of Europe. As a photographer, Seline has been at it since she was a young woman, translating her love of nature and quiet moments along the river into images showcasing our beautiful landscape. Reviewers have described her photos as having a serene, painterly quality, evoking quiet moments in a working landscape, with the play of light as an actor within each frame. www.selineskoug.com
Don Trachte
Don is the eldest son of artist Donald Trachte. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1947. During his childhood in the 1950s in the wholesome environment of Arlington, Vermont, where he was raised as a neighbor and a friend of Norman Rockwell’s family, Don grew up with many of the people depicted in Rockwell’s paintings. He attended Arlington High School and Western State University of Colorado, where he majored in economics. His interest in science and geology led to expeditions to Antarctica and Greenland. Trachte has worked for several aerospace companies in sales/marketing and program management. He is currently cataloging his father’s large collection of artwork and artifacts, and giving lectures about his experience discovering an original Norman Rockwell painting behind a secret wall. Don lives in Bennington, Vermont.
Phil Monahan
A lifelong angler, Phil Monahan began his career as a guide in Alaska and Montana in the early to mid 90s. After a brief stint as an editor at Outdoor Life, he became the Editor-in-Chief of American Angler, a national fly-fishing magazine, which he ran for more than a decade. In 2010, he launched the Orvis FlyFishing blog, creating more than 8,000 posts over the next 14 years. Next, he served as the Editor-in-Chief of MidCurrent.com, and he has recently become the Managing Editor for the Atlantic Salmon Federation.
FLY TYERS PARTICIPANTS
Adriano Manocchia
Born in New York City, Adriano Manocchia received a Bachelors degree from Pace University in New York. After graduating, he spent 12 years as a photojournalist. In 1984, Adriano turned his attention to fine art and quickly received the attention of critics worldwide. A number of awards and special projects marked his recognition in the art field. Adriano’s work is in major private collections. "My paintings are my emotions; I paint what attracts me. It is that incessant search for the visually stimulating that makes this voyage exciting. While painting places I observe, I enhance my images through compositional means, bringing them closer to ideals upheld in a bygone age of painting.” www.adriano-art.com
Chris Del Plato
Chris has spent over 25 years researching streamer and bucktail history with a particular focus on the unique patterns and tying styles of Carrie Stevens and the 'exact imitation' or 'match the minnow' approaches of Lew Oatman and Keith Fulsher. Chris has demonstrated streamer tying at various events, including the International Fly Tying Symposium. He has also been featured in numerous sporting publications. He also runs the StreamerList.com, a large online community of streamer & bucktail aficionados. Website: streamertyer.com , Instagram: @streamertyer
Scott Biron
Scott Biron cut his teeth learning to tie flies and fly fish back in the 1960s in the North County of New Hampshire. He has fished many of the streams north of Route 26 in NH with his grandfather, and his favorite is the Androscoggin River. Scott is an active fly tying instructor for NH Fish & Game and is popular for tying and instructing at national, international, and regional shows. He was awarded a 2017 NH Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant and studied fly tying, including Traditional New England Streamer patterns, and progressed to Classic Salmon Flies.
John Shaner
John Shaner grew up in a fishing family in the Finger Lakes region of NY, and caught his first trout on a fly he tied himself in 1966. Although he is primarily self-taught, he has studied many fly-dressing techniques and has been privileged to sit at the elbow of many famous fly tiers. He especially enjoys reproducing and using traditional trout patterns.
Peter Simonson
Peter Simonson has been fly-tying for 25 years, initially just creating flies needed for fishing. He enjoys tying historic streamers from the Rangeley region of Maine and especially the unnamed and other lesser-known streamer patterns of Carrie G. Stevens. Peter has tied at numerous fly-fishing shows and museum events over the past dozen years, and was recently featured in the Autumn 2022 issue of Fly Tyer magazine. Learn more at www.petersimonsonflydresser.com.
Ted Patlen
Winner of seven fly-tying world championships, I’ve been invited to demonstrate at fly-fishing venues from the rocky shores of the Pacific coast, across the states as well as Canada, from a 12th-century convent in Italy, north to Scandinavia, to the heart of the British Isles……as well as on a hot, dusty parking lot in Roscoe, New York.
Mike Stewart
Mike is a custom fly tyer who has been tying flies since 1982. He ties and teaches how to tie all types of flies, but especially enjoys wet flys, flymphs, and soft hackles. Mike started fishing on the Missisquoi River in Richford, VT in the late 1950's where he caught his first trout on a fly rod. He has demonstrated fly tying at various fishing shows across the US. Currently, Mike lives in North Granby, CT.
Bill Newcomb
Bill Newcomb is a celebrated fly tyer and fly fishing historian who has been tying for over 50 years up and down the East Coast and Europe. "This is a fun sport - you meet so many nice people. To the people who came before we owe so much. We're here to pass it on.
Drew Price
Drew Price began fly fishing in the early 1990s in Northern New York and quickly purchased a fly-tying kit to properly arm himself. The Saranac River provided easy access to smallmouth bass, trout, and landlocked salmon, and he tied classic patterns as well as his own to meet his needs.
In 1998, he moved to Vermont and began his love affair with Lake Champlain. He plied the shallows of the lake to dial in carp, bowfin, and gar. At the same time, he fed his “adipose complex” by chasing wild trout.
Drew has received a lot of attention over the years for his prowess with non-traditional fly-rod targets like bowfin, gar, pike, carp, musky, and lake trout. Television shows like Vermont Outdoor Journal, Das Boat, FlyLords Flavor on the Fly, and River Monsters have featured him guiding those species.
His book, Favorite Flies for Vermont, was released in November 2025 and details many of his patterns, as well as others for fishing the Green Mountain State and beyond! Many of his patterns are designed with non-traditional fly-rod species in mind, but there are plenty of effective trout flies in his arsenal.
Fly Fishing Workshop and Seminar Leaders
Brew Moscarello
Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide and Instructor Brew Moscarello has been fishing the Battenkill river for nearly 4 decades. As the founder of Trico Unlimited, Fly Fishing Adventures in Southern Vermont, Brew specializes in helping Fly Fisherman of all abilities advance their skills while having fun. Learn more at www.tricounlimited.com
Peter Basta
Peter's first fish to the fly was on the BattenKill near Shushan! Peter has fished this area of Vermont and nearby NY since those early years except while at college in Nova Scotia. Peter is a guide in this area and has been practicing his craft for many years. He has also guided in Michigan and NY for Steelhead but is retired from that part of his guiding. Peter specializes in taking out beginners as an "On Stream Instruction" course all done stream side. He guides on 5 major watersheds and fishes both stocked and wild trout and all fished are released.
Ray Berumen
Ray Berumen, owner of Taconic Guide Service and Mayfly Lodge in Manchester, Vermont, is the former Engineering Manager for both Orvis Fly rods USA and British Fly Reels Ltd., Cornwall, England. The reason I have come to love the Battenkill river is surprisingly not for its fishing as it goes much deeper than that alone. The rugged beauty of natural free flowing, freestone, spring fed crystal clear waters is a unique experience and a lifetime full of endless adventures. The fishing can be pretty good, too..!
Alan Erdossy
A fly fisher and tyer for 65 years, Alan grew up fishing the Letort and Yellow Breeches in PA. His Simplified Fly Fishing School at Tall Timber Lodge has introduced students of all ages to the wonderful world of trout for over 30 years. He served as coordinator for TU's Atlantic Salmon Task Force, and is here representing the VT Trout Camp for Teens.
Brian McCardle
I am a lifelong fly fisherman since age of 12. I joined the Boston chapter of Trout Unlimited at age 30. served on it's board of directors as well as trip coordinator for trips to the Beaverkill, Housatonic, Farmington. I became active in the Federation of Fly Fishers, now Fly Fishers international and served on the board of directors and am now the treasurer of the northeast council for the last 20 years. After retiring I worked as a casting instructor as well as fly tying teacher at LL Bean for 11 years. I was one of original volunteers for Project Healing Waters. This year will be the 11th year of running a fishing camp for a local kids school for the blind. Fly fishing is such a wonderful sport and has been a life changer for me. Semper Fi! - Brian
Pat Johnson
Casting Instructor and guide in Quebec, Canada. Competitive Fly Angler. Vice president FFI-North Eastern Council
Douglas Goosen
FFI North East council board of directors member. FFI Certified Instructor
Andrew MacArthur
Andrew grew up on Long Island where he developed a passion for targeting fluke, bluefish, and stripers with his surf rods. Now a resident of Arlington, VT, Andrew serves as Chapter President for TU Southwestern Vermont, owns Cedar Bear Carpentry LLC., and is a passionate outdoor educator. Since moving to the area in 2012, Andrew has fallen in love with fly fishing for anything with fins, is an avid fly tier, and especially loves the Battenkill watershed!
Conservation Partners
Jacob Fetterman
Jacob works for Trout Unlimited as the NY Project Coordinator. The focus of his work remains the Battenkill Watershed (in NY & VT), through the Battenkill Home Rivers Initiative - now entering its 4th year of operation. He has a Master of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology.
Warren Coleman
Warren co-founded the TU Trout Camp more than ten years ago with some fellow MadDog Chapter members to provide young teens the opportunity to learn about flyfishing, cold water conservation and to inspire our next generation to step up and protect our natural resources. He grew up in Florida fishing the waters of Biscayne Bay and later the Nature Coast near Cedar Key, but has lived in Vermont since 1996. He moved here to attend law school in Sout Royalton and fell in love with the White River. He now focuses his time in the Upper Connecticut River watershed during the summer, but come fall he's in the northwoods of New England or out west on the prairies with his English Setters sourcing feathers for next year's softhackle flies. He's proud to be part of the TU Trout Camp providing an exceptional experience for novice to advanced campers with a top notch faculty dedicated to passing on their knowledge and enthusiasm. He makes annual pilgrimages to the Battenkill each spring and early summer. He loves the intimacy and challenge of its waters and beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Jim Henderson
Jim Henderson grew up on Cape Cod fishing for striped bass. He works at the Bennington County Regional Commission where he manages their environmental program, is a founding member of the Batten Kill Watershed Alliance and serves on the Board of Directors of the Bennington County Conservation District. Jim lives in Sandgate, Vermont where he raised three sons with his wife Nancy. He enjoys fishing hunting and bluegrass music.
Andrew MacArthur
Andrew grew up on Long Island where he developed a passion for targeting fluke, bluefish, and stripers with his surf rods. Now a resident of Arlington, VT, Andrew serves as Chapter President for TU Southwestern Vermont, owns Cedar Bear Carpentry LLC., and is a passionate outdoor educator. Since moving to the area in 2012, Andrew has fallen in love with fly fishing for anything with fins, is an avid fly tier, and especially loves the Battenkill watershed!
Erin De Vries
Erin joined VRC staff after serving as VRC’s River Stewardship Manager. Erin brings a deep knowledge of Vermont waters and watersheds from previous experience as a watershed and lake education coordinator and state wetlands ecologist. She is a people person dedicated to building awareness and partnerships that benefit communities and their health, our environment, and the economy. As Conservation Director, Erin enhances conservation partnerships and leads strategic visioning for the public access sites and riverlands the organization will conserve and restore.
Addie Hedges
Addie joined the VRC team in 2023 through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board AmeriCorps program. Prior to moving to Vermont, Addie lived in Southwest Florida and the Midwest. She recently graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in geography and additional environmental studies and geology coursework. Addie has worked on water-related projects with state and federal geological surveys in Indiana and Vermont, bringing knowledge of hydrology and outreach to the team. As the Community Engagement Coordinator for VRC, Addie hopes to increase community knowledge of rivers and their importance. She wants to use her scientific knowledge and creative ideas to achieve goals and gain more knowledge about Vermont ecosystems and human communities!
Paul Bugeja
PAUL BUGEJA has a passion for wild native brook trout that began at a small pond in Branden, Vermont, in the early 1970's. He has fished throughout the state while travelling for business and pleasure, including both the storied rivers and lesser-known streams. Paul has also spent time in Wyoming and Montana pursuing wild native cutthroat, and in Ireland fishing for native sea-run brown trout and Atlantic salmon that are struggling due to habitat degradation. He also served on the board of Central Vermont Trout Unlimited for several years. Paul can be reached at Info@nativefishcoalition.org
VENDORS
Rablogan Castle
Rablogan Castle of Scotland is a comprehensive Scottish products shop set on the outskirts of Arlington, VT. Our Kitchen and Pantry area includes everything from imported UK groceries and candy, Scottish seafood and cheese to authentic locally made UK staples. We offer a broad range of authentic Family wear and Accessories, an Extensive Highland wear selection, Wool and Cashmere Sweaters, Home goods, Jewelry and Gifts. Additionally, we are the US home of the Rablogan of Scotland range of Tartan and Tweed garments that includes Lambswool shirts, Tweed Jackets and Vests, Capes and Ponchos, Scarves and Throws and much more. www.rablogan.com
Lopstick Outfitters
Lopstick Outfitters is an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Outfitter & Fly Shop in Pittsburg, New Hampshire. We offer Pro Gear, Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guides, and Professional Upland Bird Hunting Guides! Visit us at our shop or on the web at lopstickoutfitters.com to start your adventure in the Great North Woods!
Wendy Gawlick
Wendy Gawlik is a Regional Program Manager at Casting for Recovery (CfR), a non-profit organization based in Bozeman, Montana. CfR provides free outdoor retreats for women of any age and any stage of breast cancer treatment or recovery. Their unique program combines breast cancer education and peer support with instruction in the sport of fly fishing. Each retreat typically hosts fourteen women who are randomly selected to attend. Wendy’s role involves managing regional programs and ensuring that participants have a meaningful and supportive experience during these retreats
Jim Becker
It was during a fishing excursion in the late 70’s through NH, Maine and Vermont that I stopped at the Orvis store in Manchester. I picked up a kit for a 7 ½ foot fiberglass rod and my rod making journey began. Going out fully on my own in 1998, I have enjoyed the development of JHBecker Rodworks and am proud of the quality and integrity of what I have offered my customers through the years. As 2023 begins, I enter my 25th year of JHBecker Rodworks. I look forward to continuing to offer personalized customer service with each rod, and continuing the tradition of hand made natural fiber rods to last the generations.
Arlotta Food
What began as a fun, family weekend at the Bennington Vermont Garlic Festival in 2010, Arlotta Food Studio evolved to become a multi-million dollar business today, selling a collection of organic olive oil, vinegar, and gourmet condiments across the US and Canada. In 2016 when demand for California olive oil grew to unprecedented levels, olive oil became almost impossible to source, forcing the company to buy its own groves in the California San Joaquin Valley.
Arlotta Food Studio can be found in over 60 Farmer's markets a week from Montauk to Brooklyn New York, along with some of the most popular upscale grocers and restaurants in the tri-state area. (www.arlottafood.com)
Stop by our table and have a taste!
Gear Haus & Fly Haus
GEAR HAUS is a locally owned and operated outdoor gear and sports equipment consignment shop in Manchester, Vermont. We help the community sell their gently used brand-name gear at reasonable prices while supporting sustainability and environmental stewardship. You’ll find gear for camping, hiking, backpacking, fly fishing, hunting, nordic and backcountry skiing, snowboarding, hockey, lacrosse, yoga, and more.
FLY HAUS is our dedicated fly shop located inside GEAR HAUS. We provide fly anglers with quality new and pre-owned fly-fishing gear, rod and reel rentals, and locally tied flies. Our goal is to support experienced and new fly anglers, while creating a place to gather, share stories about your day on the river, learn about our fisheries from our knowledgeable staff, and support local conservation initiatives.
FLY HAUS will be offering the opportunity to consign and sell your fly fishing gear during the festival. You can sign up at www.gearhausvt.com.
Steve Woit
Steve Woit is the author of the book “Fly Fishing Treasures”, a colorful review of the world of fly fishers and collecting with 800 color photos of vintage and antique rods, reels, flies. He will be signing books and displaying and selling antique fly fishing tackle, including vintage and antique reels, flies and collectibles. More information at: www.flyfishingtreasures.com and on social media on Instagram @flyfishingtreasures and Twitter @TreasuresFly